💙 Small Town Romance
💙 Bad Boy / Bad Girl Redeemed
💙 Second Chance Romance (HS Sweetheart)
💙Complex family dynamics

This is book 2 in Elle Kennedy’s newest Avalon Bay series – a small town romance series that focuses on some of the locals as they grow, change, and of course find love. I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I think I liked this one even more. Gen and Evan were real and both very truly flawed. I loved how we got to see them both slowly grow and strive for change throughout the book. Not just together, but looking to themselves. It was a really compelling and heartfelt story.

I really loved watching their story unfold and seeing them both stumble and find their ways forward, both as individuals and in how to make their relationship work in the present and future in a healthy way. I thought both Gen and Evan were interesting and complex – it was nice having the alternating POVs and getting a glimpse into the mind of each throughout the story: seeing their takes on past, present and hopes for the future.

As always, Elle Kennedy continues to impress and I can’t wait to see who’s story we’ll be getting next. She definitely let me wanting more with many of the side character dynamics currently happening in the background of this one.

Thank you to St Martins Press for the chance to read an early copy!

Bad Girl Reputation is the 2nd book in Elle Kennedy's Avalon Bay series. This is a book that follows "Gen" and Evan. Gen is determined not to fall in the trap of Evan again, because falling for a bad boy is not in her plans. The chemistry is fire- Elle is good with steam. I would say this is a solid follow up to the first book and while not necessary, it would probably be best to read the prior book first

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fast paced romance about self growth and second chances, which I liked. However, there were times I found the plot to be predictable and not overly exciting. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters, making this just an OK read.

I LOVED this book! Elle Kennedy is an auto-buy author for me, and Bad Girl Reputation easily has jumped to the top of my favorites list. I loved the writing, the story, and the characters. The setting of Avalon Bay makes this feel like a perfect summer read, any time of year. Both Gen and Evan are flawed yet relatable characters, making their love story an easy one to root for. This was an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me!

(I definitely recommend reading Good Girl Complex first to appreciate the side characters, but I will say I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first.)

I am so pleasantly surprised by this book. The first one was just not my cup of tea, I would say I felt a little old reading it and maybe it would work for others. I took a gamble and thought I would read this because I was still interested in these two main characters and I am so happy I did. The conflict in this book felt so real and so a part of growing up, there were mature conversations, and ultimately a real sense of two people who really love each other. I am very excited about this book coming out because it feels fresh and I cannot wait to recommend this.

Another great book from Elle Kennedy! I really enjoyed this cute and fun read! The chemistry between the two main characters was great and I loved the dual pov. I also love that this book shows the growth that anyone can have. No matter their “reputation”. Definitely a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for the arc!

Bad Girl Reputation is a funny, heart swooning story of a second chance romance, between two people who are trying to better their lives. The story follows Gen and Evan, two characters who have been on and off dating since high school during their rebellious years. When Gen comes back from a year away, it is up to her and Evan to see if they can actually work things out this time, or will they both drag each other back down to their old ways.

This was a fun and romantic read that I quite enjoyed. This is a second in a series but I have not read the first book and still very much enjoyed this. I would recommend this to fans of the author or genre, or if you're looking for a quick rom-com read. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A solid 4 stars.

Bad Girl Reputation is the second book in Elle Kennedy's "Avalon Bay" series. This is a second chance book that follows Genevieve "Gen" and Evan who have, let's say, history together. After having left town for a while, Gen returns to Avalon Bay determined to stay on the right path and not fall back into bad habits, one of which being Evan. Unfortunately for those plans, Evan is not willing to let her go, even if it means reforming his "bad boy" act.

I really enjoyed reading this book! To be honest, I was a bit skeptical going into this book due to things I have heard about book 1. However, I thought this book was cute and enjoyable. I liked both Gen and Evan and getting both of their POVs really added to the story, in my opinion. To be honest, I didn't care much for Mac or Cooper as main side characters or the typical last hurdle of the book (the one that happens at the 75-80% mark). I would've liked the resolution to the last hurdle to be prolonged a little bit as I felt it was a tad rushed, but it didn't bother me too much where I would "deduct points".

Overall, I'd recommend this book, especially if you've enjoyed Elle Kennedy's other books. Also would recommend this if you're looking for an easy and cute fall read.

Release Date: October 4, 2022

More info:
POV? Dual (first-person)
Cheating? No
OW/OM drama? No
HEA? Yes

Key Tropes/ Tags:
- second chance
- bad girl/bad boy
- small town

List of possible triggers:
<spoiler> SA, mention of drugs </spoiler>

Condensed review to be posted to Instagram.

The relationship between Evan and Genevieve is text book toxic. The on and off again pair had historically been up to no good. After Genevieve hits rock bottom during a night of partying, she no only gives up Evan but the entire town of Avalon Bay. A year passes before fate brings her back into town, and into Evans life. These two have an undeniable chemistry that is both their biggest strength and weakness as they navigate embarking on a more mature relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed their story, even more so than the first book of the series.

Who doesn’t love an Elle Kennedy book. She is an amazing author. I will be buying this book for my shelf. I have only read a little of the book and know I am going to love it when it comes out in paperback.

I loved the message that Elle Kennedy was saying with this book, that a girl with a bad past can be redeemed and become a better version of herself. LOVE! I had really high expectations for this one, but it just wasn’t for me specifically.

This book is full of redemption, second chances, growth, and forgiveness. Evan, the softer twin, has seen such growth from book one. I love him so much in all his messy, imperfect ways. Gen, was hard to love. I couldn’t get invested in her because she took so much from others but never gave back. Her trauma speaks a lot to this, but I wanted her to value Evan some more and I wanted better for him.

This book is darker than the first, and personally didn’t work for me. The hard topics are worth talking and reading about, but it’s not what I enjoy for this book and I wanted it mixed with light and fun moments and the balance wasn’t there for me.

I will continue to read anything else Elle Kennedy writes, though.

I loved the summer, beach setting of this book! It takes place in the same setting as the first book, Good Girl Complex. Screams outer banks vibes! I also loved the family relationships in this book, specifically the sibling relationships! Also, Riley, such a sweet character!

Unfortunately with this book though, I had a hard time rooting for the main characters to end up together. I’m not sure if it was because I felt their relationship was too toxic or didn’t feel that they truly became better versions of themselves but I just didn’t love them as a couple.

Overall, I enjoyed the book as I like Elle Kennedy’s writing style and was so excited to see another Avalon Bay book!!

I absolutely loved this book!! This was such a fun, cute and easy read. I read this book in one setting. I definitely recommend this book. This book is the second in the series. You can read this as a stand-alone. I have not read the first book but it is definitely going on the tbr. Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what Elle Kennedy does next.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. Elle Kennedy is one of my favorite authors and an immediate buy for me whenever I see her books! 'Bad Girl Reputation' is one that I truly cannot wait to hold a physical copy in my hands. The storyline is unique with a bad girl who is reformed and sees her bad boy local ex-boyfriend at her mother's visitation. I was immediately hooked by the characters electric chemistry with each other and the backstory that seemed to haunt the main female character. Don't worry if you loved Coop and Mac's story, they are featured plenty in this one as well! I devoured this book in less than two hours and I'm eagerly waiting to see if there is a third book coming in the series! Bravo Queen Elle Kennedy, you have done it again.

Book Recommendations aka Evan and Gen are hurricane, that You are not ready to handle !!!!! Bring tissues and wine -they will test You on every possible level🙃.


Bad Girl Reputation is Elle Kennedy at the finest, and for sure - she slayed my heart from the first pages, leaving me speachless and in awe at the end. From one side it's typical Elle's writing style, but at the same moment - Bad Girl Reputation is totally different from all books I've read from Elle.

Evan and Gen are wild and VERY unexpected. I'm not sure if any book from this author gave me so many different and opposite emotions. From crying to laughing back and forth... ALL THE FREAKING TIME !

Sometimes I'm wondering why, I have always soft spot for heroes like Evan and heroines like Gen and Elle showed me piece by piece like a master story teller... Under the cover of funny, wild attitude, mostly there is smth else, smth that is always crushing heart like the wrecking ball sized angst. I love to discover all the secrets, just the way like Elle, Gen and Evan let me... Bad Girl Reputation is a love story, that can teach how to grow up, with keeping heart on the right place.

I know it's still lot of time to go before this book will be publish, but patience will be like always rewarded. Elle Kennedy's words is smth that is worth to wait.

Honestly, I was not expecting a book like this from Elle Kennedy (most likely due to the fact that I had my BriarU blinders on). I see this book as her way of trying to get more into the hallmark-esque genre of romance novels. Bad Girl Reputation was a quick, easy, read however I didn’t really connect with any of the characters as much as I would have liked to. I found I wasn’t rooting for the couple to get together in the end, simply because I didn’t really care. Perhaps I should have read the first book prior to this one (even though its not required), maybe then I would have formed some sort of relationship with the characters. Overall, it was still a fun read and I’m excited to see what Elle Kennedy comes up with next. 3.5/5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this!! Gen and Evan are so explosive in the best possible way. It was wonderful to see Evan woo Gen and see them both get their lives together. So fun!

I love Elle Kennedy. I did not love this book. I had the same problem i had with the last book, too may characters and backstories and i know its probably to draw interest in future stories but i think it took away from the main characters. I did love Evan's relationship with Riley, i thought that was a highlight. I also understood their relationship dynamic but it felt a little flat at times.

This series just keeps getting better! This book is book two, but definitely reads like a standalone. Evan and Genevieve were best friends and childhood sweethearts until a falling out causing a huge split. After hitting rock bottom, Gen comes back in to town to try to turn her life around. In this process, Evan learns the truth about what happened and finds himself even more unable to stay away. Gen is maturing and unless Evan does the same, there’s no spot from him in her life.

Their chemistry is explosive and when the stars finally align, these two make a really solid and impactful couple.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for letting me read this book! I was looking forward to it after reading Good Girl Complex. The first book made me dislike Evan a little but I forgave him after he and Mac got close. This book gives you a look at Evan and Genevieve's story. It's friends to lovers and second chance romance. I didn't like both characters at one point, but this book is also about a self love journey before they can be with each other. I like how it came together at end and the side characters! I definitely want to know how they end up.